Wild behavior

Cats are nocturnes. They usually spend most of their day sleeping. Their most active periods occur during the early evening and early morning hours. As we shall see, this pattern can be altered.

The explosive behavior sometimes exhibited by cats is normal. Cats will suddenly erupt into a fit, madly dashing around, bouncing off of furniture, running up and across the drapes, and breathing heavily with eyes as big as saucers. This adrenaline rush is necessary for maintenance of cat sanity, if not yours. It is a sudden and necessary release of energy, and most of the behavior is perfectly harmless. Some of this behavior is fantasy hunting for phantom prey.

If the behavior results in household destruction, or in your loss of sleep, then something must be done about it. The most important thing is to give your cat lots of exercise, especially during those early evening hours. Take an old fishing pole and tie a catnip mouse to the end of the line. Cast the phantom prey out across the room while you are watching the evening news. Reel it in and entertain and exercise your cat for hours.

Neutering your cats will have a calming effect and will also reduce those noisy outbursts during the mating season.

If your cat insists on running around at nighttime, provide quiet things for play such as hollow golf balls, ping pong balls, catnip mice, and foam balls. If your cat wants to jump on the bed and play with you, discourage this by popping a balloon in her face. Then hang balloons all around your bedroom door as reminders. Just think how festive the entrance to your bedroom will look!

Do not ever verbally reprimand or physically punish your cat for her sporadic fifty yard dash. This will break the bond you have established with your cat and will create stress which will result in more misbehavior.

Fortunately, as she gets older, the number of frantic outbursts will be reduced.